The Prestige TV Podcast

Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney reunite to break down the premiere of ‘True Detective: Night Country.’ They open by unpacking the lasting cultural impact of the first season 10 years later and how the fourth season of the beloved HBO drama differs this time around. Next, they discuss the eerie Alaskan setting, the many strained relationships between the characters, and the supernatural elements of...

Sean and Jo return to break down the Season 1 finale of ‘The Curse.’ They discuss the extremely bold conclusion, whether or not the final episode has a deeper meaning beneath it, and the subsequent provocation of critics and viewers alike. Along the way, they debate whether Asher was actually cursed and his final attempt to win over Whitney’s approval. Later, they talk through similarities (and di...

Did Don Draper really buy the world a Coke? Did Tony Soprano really die (or just order more onion rings)? Were those guys really in hell the whole time—or was that just the audience? Hosted by Andy Greenwald, 'Stick the Landing' is a new podcast that revisits iconic season finales from the past to see what they might tell us about our TV-watching future. Each episode will feature a different guest...

Jo and Rob are back to break down the ninth episode of ‘Fargo’ Season 5 and talk about what they’re hoping to see in the season finale. They head to Coen Corner to parse the Coen references in this episode, and go through listener emails regarding the truth of the phrase “fruit of the poisonous tree,” Russian election scams, Oregonian anarchists, and more. Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney Pr...

Sean and Jo convene before the finale of Nathan Fielder’s cringe dramedy ‘The Curse’ to sift through the many ideas about performance of the self, gentrification, reality television, marriage, art, and more in Episodes 6-9. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Joanna Robinson Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jo and Rob are back to break down the eighth episode of ‘Fargo’ Season 5. They open by reading through a handful of listener emails on how this season is depicting the Midwest and its culture. Next, they discuss the rise and fall of Danish Graves, the likelihood of an effective Gator redemption arc, and Roy Tillman’s viciousness. Along the way, they revisit this season’s themes of debt and the cha...

Jo and Rob are back to break down the seventh episode of ‘Fargo’ Season 5. They discuss the harrowing puppet theater visuals and Dot’s coinciding dream sequence, Gator’s increasingly ruinous character arc, and the various hints that foreshadowed Camp Utopia. Along the way, they talk about Wayne and Scotty’s wholesome father-daughter bond. Later, they close by unpacking the final scene, in which Ro...

Jo and Rob are back to break down the sixth episode of ‘Fargo’ Season 5. They open by talking through the various meanings behind the title “The Tender Trap,” revisiting the ongoing parallels between the show and the Coen brothers’ filmography, and nominating their favorite Minnesota nice moments of the episode. Next, they discuss how the series continues to peel back the true nature of two of the...

Jo and Amanda return for their final word on ‘The Crown.’ They go character by character through the last three episodes of Season 6 to explore what Peter Morgan is really trying to say about the British monarchy, and recap their favorite moments like Claire Foy’s cameo and shirtless Matt Smith. Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

Jo and Amanda reconvene now that the final six episodes of ‘The Crown’ dropped on Netflix to discuss Episode 5, 6, and 7. They dream-cast Will, Kate, and Harry after talking about the three unknown actors that will be portraying them, then examine what the show is trying to say as it increasingly depicts events we have a vivid collective memory of. Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Amanda Dobbins Produce...

Jo and Rob are back to break down the fifth episode of ‘Fargo’ Season 5. They discuss a handful of scene-stealing moments from Jennifer Jason Leigh, Roy Tillman’s role as the show’s true villain, and how many of the characters are constructing their own realities. Along the way, they unpack ‘The Wizard of Oz’ theory and all of the ways the series is mirroring the classic American fairy tale. Later...

Joanna is joined by Sean to recap Episode 3, 4, and 5 of ‘The Curse.’ They discuss their fandom of Emma Stone and her character’s moral decline, the Lynchian and reality TV–like characteristics of the filmmaking, and how Asher’s character is a reflection of Fielder’s past works. They take a look at Dougie’s story line in comparison to that of Asher’s, then react to the revelation of the curse bein...

Jo and Rob are back to break down the fourth episode of ‘Fargo’ Season 5. They discuss the contentious dichotomy between the haves and the have-nots, the action-packed home invasion sequence, and the ongoing parallels between Roy Tillman and Dot Lyon. Along the way, they talk about Jennifer Jason Leigh’s performance and why her outsized presence works within the context of her character. Later, th...

Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney reunite to break down the first three episodes of ‘Fargo’ Season 5. They give a brief overview on their relationships with past seasons of the series and the Coen brothers’ film it’s loosely based on, before then discussing why this time around feels like a return to form. Next, they unpack this season’s thematic through line that places the wives at the center of t...

Jo and Amanda return to recap Episode 3-4 of Season 6 of ‘The Crown,’ including their thoughts on “memory Diana,” the show’s portrayal of Charles, the moral ambiguity in depicting Diana’s death, and how they position Prince William as the main character of the second half of the season, which drops on December 14. Check back in on the feed in December for our recaps of the second half of this fina...

Sean is joined by Joanna Robinson to break down the second episode of ‘The Curse.’ They discuss the surprisingly sparse use of comedy, the voyeuristic filmmaking style, and how the slowed pacing of the series heightens the discomfort in each scene. Along the way, they unpack how the show reveals Asher and Whitney’s ulterior motives as well as their strange relationship dynamic. Later, they react t...

Season 6 of ‘The Crown’ has finally arrived! Jo and Amanda sit down to recap the first two episodes of the four-episode drop on Netflix, including all the great performances and a beat-for-beat breakdown of the real-life controversies that inspired the show. Check back in the feed Monday for our recap of episodes 3 and 4. Hosts: Jo Robinson and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more abou...

In anticipation of the November 16 drop of the first half of ‘The Crown’ Season 6, Jo and Amanda discuss their favorite performances and moments in Season 5 and where the show leaves off, before previewing everything we know about the final season so far. Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill and Sean come together to discuss ‘The Curse,’ the new project from the Safdies, Nathan Fielder, and Emma Stone. They talk about the melding of tones going on in the show, Emma Stone’s choice to be in a TV show despite being such a huge movie star, and the strangeness of the TV streaming landscape right now. Hosts: Bill Simmons and Sean Fennessey Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about...

In anticipation of the next and final season of ‘The Crown,’ Jo and Amanda dig into the best episode (according to us) of the series, “Tywysog Cymru,” in which a young Prince Charles travels to Wales to assume his royal title of Prince of Wales. Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill and Chris join together to honor Matthew Perry by celebrating the success of the ‘Studio 60’ pilot. They discuss the impressive chemistry between Perry and costar Bradley Whitford, highlight the end of a television era with the shift from 22-episode seasons to more unscripted content, and explore the complicated history of Aaron Sorkin’s work. Hosts: Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan Producer: Jack...

JoVanna makes their triumphant return to the feed with Netflix’s spooky season miniseries ‘The Fall of the House of Usher,’ which they recap in full. They break down Mike Flanagan’s body of work and their love for Edgar Allen Poe’s work, and talk about their favorite horror short fiction. Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Van Lathan Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastch...

Bill and Amanda get together to talk about the first two episodes of the new season of Apple TV+'s ‘The Morning Show.’ They begin their conversation by commenting on the heavenly lighting, special effects, and camerawork of the Season 3 premiere and catching up on all the story lines from the end of Season 2. They then discuss all of their favorite moments and scenes so far while shining a light o...

Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney return to break down the Season 1 finale of ‘Justified: City Primeval.' They recap their overall feelings on the season, share their enthusiasm for the arrival of Boyd Crowder, and hypothesize what a future season of ‘Justified’ would look like. Later, Joanna is joined by executive producer and director Michael Dinner to talk about the epic return of Boyd Crowder, t...

The Albanians are back and it is the penultimate episode of 'Justified: City Primeval'! Joanna and Rob are here to give you all you need to know and predict how the finale will shake out! Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices